Page 53 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

Besides, if life taught me one thing… never act on your emotions, and study your environment first before making any rash decisions.

I didn’t ask a lot of questions, just obeyed all the orders and watched TV, learning a lot of new stuff about the modern world, and I read the books brought to me.

Among those books, I found an empty journal, which for the first time brought me so much happiness I burst into tears, crying so hard and for so long a nurse had to give me a sedative.

According to her, it was normal to experience it all under harsh stress, but still, I just nodded and refused to see a shrink.

These people could still hurt me, and I wasn’t about to give them any weapons to use against me.

After two weeks, a man showed up whose aura of dominance and power filled the space around, making me sit straight and watch his every move warily, knowing that if this man unleashed his wrath on me, I wouldn’t survive it.

My first instinct was to bolt; none of the men in my life had been kind to me, but I froze when, instead of saying anything, he dropped a folder on my hospital bed.

Picking it up with trembling hands, I gasped, seeing reports about Jonathan being found dead and how that monster married again after casting my aunt away and raped another stepdaughter. He was found in the forest, his limbs chopped and his face barely recognizable.

And the dark part inside me, the one that enjoyed hurting him, almost wept in pleasure finding this justice fitting, even if it was horrendous.

Nothing would have stopped him except death anyway.

There was also a report on Beatrice, who struggled to find another fool who would marry her and desperately needed money to keep up with her life.

The man finally spoke when I raised my head, his gaze focused on me but so blank I couldn’t predict what he felt. “You don’t have a past anymore that hunts you. You are free to do as you choose.” I swallowed hard, slightly lost at his words, my throat so dry I couldn’t utter anything, but thankfully he continued. “Everyone else found their home. You have none. If you want, you can come with me.”

My eyes widened in shock, fear enveloping me when certain images played in my mind, creating rather gory pictures, but he quickly soothed them.

“We don’t hurt the innocent, and we never strip away the freedom from those who crave it. I can give you a new life. One where no one will ever dare hurt you again.” His voice held so much conviction, and by the ruthless steel ringing in his tone, I knew it was the truth.

Clearing my throat, I finally found the courage to reply. “Thank you for saving my life, but… I’d like to be with my twin. Could you find her instead?” I twisted my hands, my heart beating so hard in my chest I felt the pulse in my neck, and something flashed on his face before he nodded.

“Of course.” With this, he turned around, ready to leave, but my next question halted his movements.

“What’s your name?” For some reason, I needed to know my savior’s name, because even if he participated in horrible things, I would be forever grateful to him and his friends.

Or whoever all these men were.

“Lachlan Scott.”

That’s how I learned the name and later how much importance it holds in the world.

And even though there is still fear that he might transform into a monster who craves to tear my flesh away, the familiar hope burns brighter and brighter each day in my soul as my days here come to an end.

Because Lachlan, as he promised, found my sister, and his private plane will take me to France right away.

He even made my passport and all the paperwork, claiming me as his distant cousin and temporarily giving me his family name. I knew I wouldn’t need it once I met Penelope.

My heart squeezes hard, and now smiles always grace my mouth. My happiness manages to block away the screams in my head waking me up at night and the voices whispering in my ear to attack the men around me, as sometimes their faces merge with Jonathan or Elijah’s, making me lose my mind.

But I hold strong, withstanding the lure, because I have a reason to live.

Penelope.

Once I’m in her arms, everything will be all right.

The nightmare will finally be over, and I’ll live happily ever after like in all the fairy tales.

With Penelope by my side.

Penelope

---